NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In just the last 18 months alone (between December 2012 and June 2014)
there have been 74 school shootings in the US. In response, an influx of
products have hit the market in an effort to help save lives in the wake
of these seemingly inevitable tragedies. Recognizing the need for a
simple, strong and highly effective solution, The Bilco Company, a
manufacturer of specialty access products, has teamed up with Troy Lowe,
decorated military veteran, firefighter and SWAT team member, to
manufacture and distribute the BarracudaTM intruder defense
system, a door security device designed to protect occupants against
building trespassers.

The Barracuda is a free-standing device designed to lock down virtually
any commercial door in an emergency situation. The product is available
in different models to protect inward and outward swinging doors, and is
adjustable to accommodate varying door widths. A product demonstration
video can be accessed via Bilco’s YouTube channel with this
link.

As a SWAT team medic, Lowe works to prevent shooting tragedies in his
community through active shooter response training programs and has
instructed thousands of people on how to react during an emergency
lockdown situation. He has seen firsthand how quickly people panic and
lose control over their fine motor skills during these simple training
exercises. This experience helped Lowe recognize the need for a door
security product that was simple to use and highly effective in securing
a door.

“From the beginning, my goal has always been to keep as many people as
safe as possible and have found that the best way to accomplish this is
to deny the intruder access to building occupants,” said Lowe. “We have
been using Barracuda intruder defense system in our training programs
and have found that individuals are confident and comfortable with the
simplicity and effectiveness of the devices.”

The Barracuda DSI model protects inward swinging doors. With the door
closed, the product is placed on the floor and the user slides the metal
plates under the door. Pushing outward on the handles engage the plates
to the exterior door jamb and the device is securely locked in place by
simply inserting a pin. To secure an outward swinging door, the DSO
model is positioned so that the bar rests on the door jamb on either
side of a closed door and the built-in hook is placed over the door
handle. The device is secured by spinning the turn handle until it is
snug in place. Finally, the DCS model is the fastest and easiest way to
secure a door in an emergency situation. It simply slides over the door
closer to prevent the scissor action that would allow the door to open.
The DCS model can be used as a standalone product or as an accessory to
buy more time for installation of either of the other two models.

“It is clear that the security industry is in need of an innovative
product that can quickly and safely secure rooms in schools and
commercial buildings in the event of an emergency or lockdown
situation,” said Tom Crowley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with
The Bilco Company. “We are excited about the opportunity to be working
with Troy Lowe to address this growing security problem and to bring his
inventions to the market.”

The Barracuda is an American made product that features heavy-duty steel
construction and a durable powder coat finish. The free-standing devices
(not permanently attached to door) require no installation costs and can
be easily transferred between access points. The lightweight design
allows for easy deployment allowing a door to be secured in a matter of
seconds in an emergency or lockdown situation. All models are supplied
with a wall-mounting rack for convenient storage.

For over 85 years, The Bilco Company has been a building industry
pioneer in the design and development of specialty access products. Over
these years, the company has built a reputation among homeowners,
builders, architects, and engineers for products that are unequaled in
design and workmanship. Bilco – an ISO 9001 certified company – offers a
line of egress window wells and Bilco basement doors that improve the
look, function, and safety of basement areas, along with a complete line
of commercial access products. For more information, visit www.bilco.com.

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